UWS Curiosity in Action: Creating New Knowledge, Shaping Impact
The 2026 UWS Research Festival runs from 1st June -5th June 2026
Keynote Speaker
Professor Roger Maull,
Professor of Management Systems, University of Exeter
Tuesday 2nd June 2026, Paisley Campus
Professor Roger Maull biography
Roger Maull is Professor of Management Systems at the University of Exeter’s Business School and Academic Director of the Initiative for the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX), which is based in London. Roger’s initial research was in Operations Management and he has continued to publish on that topic, however, since 2009 his research has moved to focus on the impact of the Digital Economy and how new sources of data are changing how individuals live and work; how organizations operate; how businesses create value; how competition unfolds; how industries are structured and how innovation happens. He has published over 50 papers in leading management journals including: Journal of Operations Management; Journal of Service Research; Nature (Food) and the International Journal of Operations and Production Management (IJOPM). He has held 29 UKRI research awards (21 EPSRC, 4 ESRC and 4 through Innovate UK) which have a total value over £50m. His current research is funded through the DIGIT EPSRC project and the Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC.uk), where he takes an active role in developing international links. He is also a CI on the INCLUDE N+, led by Professor Helen Thornham at the University of Leeds.
RESEARCH FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Day 1: Monday 1st June 202
Reserved day for Schools and Research Groupings to host local events
Day 2: Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Paisley Campus
9:30am Registration
10:00am Welcome address – Professor Robert MacIntosh, PVC Research & Innovation, Interim Depute Vice Chancellor
10:15am Keynote speaker
Professor Roger Maull, Professor of Management Systems, University of Exeter
11:15am Coffee Break
11:30am Parallel Sessions – full programme launching 6 May 2026
Sessions under development include Technology Disruption and Responsible Research Practice
12.30pm Lunch & Curiosity in Action Showcase
Exploring how UWS research creates new knowledge and delivers meaningful impact.
1:45pm From Curiosity to Culture: Shaping Our Living Research Culture Action Plan
This final session of the day brings the Festival to a close by turning collective insight into future direction. Introducing UWS’s living Research Culture Action Plan, the session will invite reflection on Festival themes and begin a shared conversation about how UWS might continue to organise, connect and enable research in ways that support excellence, collaboration and impact. The format will be participative and adaptive, reflecting an evolving and responsive research environment.
3.15pm Close – Professor Robert MacIntosh, PVC Research & Innovation, Deputy Vice Chancellor
Day 3: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Reserved day for Schools and Research Groupings to host local events.
Day 4: Thursday 4th June 2026 PGR Day Paisley Campus
P Block
10:15am Registration
10:30am PGR connections coffee
(10-11am) Poster Showcase – invited Peer Reviewers only
11:00am Introduction to the day
11:10am Welcome – Professor Robert MacIntosh, Deputy Vice Chancellor
11:30am Curiosity in Action: panel
12:00pm Reflections from Poster Showcase
L Block and Library
12:25pm Parallel Workshops
1:15pm Lunch & Research Exhibition
2:30pm 3MT
3:30pm Prize Giving
3:45pm Close
Day 5: Friday 5th June 2025 Campus
The Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Communications and Network Research (AVCN) Institute conference will take place on Friday June 5, 9am to 5pm.
It will be a chance for colleagues (academic and non-academic) across the University to engage with the research work undertaken within the AVCN Institute and discuss collaborations and funding applications.
Registrations to attend the AVCN Institute Conference 2026 are now open and will close on May 15, you can register here.
Last updated: 23/04/2026